SUNBURY — Teri Jo Hunt wipes tears from her eyes as she talks about her “past coming back to haunt” her.

In Hunt’s case, the past involves a 2002 conviction for child sexual abuse for photographing the breasts of a 15-year-old girl, who then passed the photo to an adult male.

For the felony crime, Hunt spent two years on probation and was placed on the state’s Megan’s Law registry for 10 years.

Now Hunt may be in more legal trouble for allegedly violating an ordinance she says she was unaware was even on the books.

The 38-year-old Sunbury mother of four — who has custody of her boys ranging in ages 3 to 14 — said she has no trouble abiding by the state’s Megan’s Law but wonders when the punishment will cease.

Hunt on July 10 allegedly violated the 2006 Sunbury ordinance that restricts registered sexual offenders from loitering or living within 1,000 feet of areas where children gather when she attended a Sunbury Celebration event at Oppenheimer Pleasure Grounds with three of her children.

“How was I supposed to know I was breaking the law? I didn’t even know there was a city ordinance,” Hunt said, tears filling her eyes. “No one ever notified me.”

She’s apparently broken the law numerous times, even in full view of city police, by taking her children to the park and to sports events. One of her sons plays on a T-ball team with the child of a Sunbury police officer, Hunt said.

By contrast, the state has kept her informed of any changes in the law, including a mailed letter last year explaining that sex offenders must now also register their vehicles with the state police.

Every year since 2003, Hunt said, she’s visited the state police at Stonington to register her address and to be photographed, as required under the law.

“I go out every June,” she said, adding that she always inquires about her rights.

Sunbury Celebration incident

At no time was she ever told she could not be within 1,000 feet of a playground, park or other public place where children congregate in Sunbury.

“I did that (asked about any changes in the law) because I don’t want to put myself in a position” that could cause problems, Hunt said.

A former Head Start bus driver for 10 years, Hunt said she was taught to make sure there were always two adults supervising a child.